Lawmakers in some U.S. states are debating how many hours teenage students should be allowed to work after classes.
Those who would reduce the number of work hours permitted contend working long hours undermines teenagers’ education and overall development. Others argue that after-school jobs teach the youngsters responsibility, punctuality and work skills that will be valuable later in life. Work also keeps them out of trouble.
The Department of Labour reports that 58 percent of 16-year-olds hold jobs sometime during the school year while another study shows that one-third of high school juniors work 20 or more hours a week.
Some youngsters from poor families have no other alternative than to work, while others do so to enjoy the extra pocket money.
Source: Steven Greenhouse, Problems Seen for Teenagers Who Hold Jobs, New York Times, January 29, 2001.
For text http://www.nytimes.com/2001/01/29/nyregion/29TEEN.html
For more on Workforce Participation – Younger Workers http://www.ncpa.org/pd/economy/econ5.html
